Richard Francis Smith

Remembering Richard Francis Smith   February 2, 1962 to February 6, 2026

Richard Francis Smith, age 64, passed away peacefully in his Lexington, SC home on Friday, February  6, 2026.   Though Richard attended Antioch Community school in Ill. up until his junior year, he graduated his  senior year at Spring Valley High School in Columbia SC, afterwards he went on to become a member of  the National Guard. For several years he loved working as a landscaper, using his new talent he  adorned his mom’s yard with flowering plants and paths and arbors. Later he was employed at the  Elbow Room in Five Points. In 1989 he had a fateful motorcycle crash which paralyzed him. Richard  adapted to his catastrophic injury with dignity and grace, even mastering the skill of making his  wheelchair dance at weddings, this was a joy for all to watch. He never lost his beautiful smile, he had  the incredible ability to make everyone feel at peace, making the best out of everything, and his humor, it  was unmatched. Richard is the reminder that things could still be good even when they are hard. He  will be remembered as a beacon of hope for those who have no hope. 

His positive attitude through his  own long years of struggle did not go unnoticed; he never spoke ill words about others, and he never  held a grudge; Richard stayed humble, he was always thankful to anyone who helped him, he truly had  the love of Christ in his heart.  Choose joy when you can, laugh whenever possible, and never underestimate the impact of a positive  spirit. Farewell to our thrill-seeking brother and friend, you did make an impact on so many lives with  your lovable character. We don’t quite know what heaven is like yet, other than it is filled with peace and  joy and beauty; maybe you can ride an epic bike again or walk and run again; heaven is probably so  much more than what anyone thinks it to be. You will always be in our thoughts, in our conversations  because you have touched our hearts; we thank you. 

 Richard is survived by his brother John Otis of Michigan, his sister Sharon (Chip) Corey of Elgin , his  sister Bridget (Sean) Kuhne of Remlap, his nephews, Albert and Austin Kuhne, and Ryan Larimore, his  friend Catherine Larimore of Chicago, his cousin’s Debbie (Randy) Tucker, John Sadowski, Darlene (Jim)  Schmerschneider, Donna (Kevin) McSheridan, as well as his long time companion Claudia Russ of  Lexington and family, Carolyn, Alex, Blaire, and “Willy G” Burrows. William, age 4 has already asked for  a trip to heaven to see his buddy so they can watch Paw Patrol.  He was predeceased by his parents, Richard “Dick” Smith, Katherine Otis Smith, and his brother Jim  Samaris, of Chicago Ill.